Pipe joint



Nov. 21, 1939.

T. RAEDLE PIPE JOINT Filed March 17, 1939 E L 0 M s R mwn R N 0 R R TO 0 No T w T mm A T Patented Nov. 21, 1939 UNITE STATES PATENT OFFICE PIPE JOINT TheodorRaedle, New- York, N. Y. Application March 17, 1939, Serial No. 262,369 10 Claims. (01. 28.5%162) 15 or the like flows therethrough, and to substitute therefor an automatically operable expansion joint which will remain effective irrespective of the pressure in the pipes or of the substance flowing through the pipes.

Other objects of thepresent invention will appear in the course of the following specification.

The objects of the present invention may be M realized through the provision of a pipe joint 25 having a rotary adjusting element which is caused to rotate by the expansion or contraction of the pipes.

The invention will appear more clearly from the following detailed description when taken 0 in connection with the. accompanying drawing,

showing by way of example preferred embodiments of the inventive idea.

In the drawing: I Figure 1 is 'a section through a joint con- 35 structed in accordance with the principles of the present invention along the lines l-I of Figure2;

Figure 2 is a transverse vertical section along ing consisting of two sleeves 25 and 21 separated from each other by a space 46. Bolts 39 which join the sleeves 26 and 21, are screwed into the sleeve 27 and extend through comparatively wide 55 openings provided in the sleeve 26, so that there is a suflicient amount of play in axial directions between the two sleeves 26 and 21.

The sleeves 26 and 21 enclose the ends of two shells or connecting pieces H3 and I2. The shell 10 comprises a flange 4| which is connected with 5 a flange of the main pipe 8 (Figure 5). The shell [2 is provided with a flange 42 which is connected with a flange of the second main pipe 9.

As shown in Figure 1, the shell l0 comprises an 10 inner flange member 43 having, for example, left-handed screw-threads meshing with the inner screw-threads 44 of the sleeve 26. The flange 43 alsocarries a metallic packing ring 34 pressed 5 2 into the flange.

An inter-connecting pipe or sleeve l3 extends through the shells Ill and I2, and that portion of the pipe 13 which is situated within the shell I0, is provided with a helical slot [4.

An inner wall of the shell l0 comprises a projection or rib ll projecting into the slot l4 and engaging the sidewalls thereof.

vThe shell l2 comprises a flange portion 45 provided with a metallic packing ring 46 which is pressed into the flange 45. The flange 45 has, for example, right-handed screw-threads meshing with the inner screw-threads 41 of the sleeve 21. I

The flanges 43 and 45 may be provided with additional packing means. if necessary.

A ring I6 is screwed upon a threaded portion 49 of the pipe l3 and is enclosed by the shell l2.

Ball bearings l5 support the pipe l3 within the shell l2 and are held on one side by the ring l6 and on the other side by a disc I! attached to an end wall of'the flange 45 by the bolts l8.

As shown in Figures 1 and 4, a packing ring 3! is situated within the sleeve 26 and is firmly connected therewith, while a packing ring 32 is t firmly connected with'the sleeve 2'! and covers 40 the space 40 between thesleeves 26 and 21. The packing rings 3| and 32 are connected with each other by a fluted or corrugated packing shell 33, which may be extended or drawn together to compensate for any relative movement of the sleeves26 and 21 in the direction of their axes.

Obviously, the shell 33 may be replaced by any other suitable connecting means.

A ring 28 is firmly connected with the pipe l3 by one or more bolts 29 and is used to prevent the 5 shifting of a sleeve 48, which is loosely mounted upon the pipe l3 and is rotatable relatively thereto. The sleeve 48 is integral with a flange 24 having the form of two diametrically opposed levers provided with forked ends engaging diametrically opposed projections 25 which are integral with the sleeve 26.

The pipe !3 is integral with a toothed crown !9 which meshes with the pinion 59 rotatably mounted upon a pivot 5! which is screwed into the side wall of the flange 45. The pinion 50 is integral with a gear wheel 20 which meshes with the gear wheel 52 rotatably mounted upon a pivot 53, which is also screwed into the flange 45. The gear wheel 52 is integral with the gear wheel 2!, which meshes with a gear wheel 54 rotatably mounted upon a pivot 55. The pivot 55 is also screwed into the flange 45 and is carried thereby. The gear wheel 54 is integral with the gear wheel 22 which meshes with the gear wheel 23. The gear wheel 23 is supported by the pivot 55 and is firmly connected with the gear wheel 51. The pivot 55 is also screwed into the flange 55. The gear wheel 57 meshes with the toothed crown 58 which is integral with the sleeve 48.

The device is operated as follows:

The pressure created by the expansion or contraction of the pipes 8 and 5 (Figure 5) is transmitted to the flanges l3 and 45. At the same time, the projection or rib I! engaging the side walls of the helical slot M will exert pressure upon the pipe is which is rotatably mounted in the shells ill and HZ. Due to the helical form of the slot M, the pressure exerted by the projection will cause a rotation of the sleeve !3, the direction of the rotation depending upon the direction of the pressure, i. e., whether it was caused by expansion or contraction. The toothed crown is which is firmly connected to the pipe I 3 will rotate with the pipe !3. Since the crown l9 meshes with the pinion 5! the rotation of the pipe I3 will be transmitted thereto, and thence will be transmitted through the gear wheels 20, 52, 2!, 54, 22, 23 and 5'! to the toothed crown 58 which is integral with the sleeve 48 freely mounted upon the pipe iii. The sleeve 58 will thus tend to rotate upon the pipe !3 and since the flange 24 of the sleeve :38 is in engagement with the projections 25 of the sleeve 26, the sleeve 26 will rotate along with the sleeve 48. Due to the provision of screwthreads 44 meshing with the screw-threads of the flange 53, the sleeve 26 will carry out a rotary movement and a forward movement relatively to the immovable flange 43. Since the sleeve 2'! having screw threads 4! is connected with the sleeve 25 by the bolts 35, the sleeve 27 will participate in the movement of the sleeve 26.

The rings 3! and 32 must be flexibly connected with each other to provide for small axial movements of the sleeves 26 and. 2'! (Figure 4) resulting from the clearance of the gears.

The joint shown in Figure 6 of the drawing comprises a shell 5!! having a flange 6! which may be connected to a main pipe. Another shell 62 is provided with a flange 63 which may be connected to another main pipe. The shell 5!; carries a metallic packing ring 64 and has inner screw-threads, meshing with the outer screwthreads 55, (for example, left-handed ones) of a sleeve 56 which is carried by the shell 60 and is connected by one or more bolts 6! with another sleeve 68 carried by the shell 62. There is play or clearance between the abutting ends of the sleeves B5 and 68. The sleeve 58 is provided with screw-threads 69 (for example, right-handed ones) meshing with the inner screw-threads of the shell 52 having a metallic packing ring l0.

The shell 62 carries ball bearings 1! supporting an outer sleeve F2.

The sleeve 68 is integral with a toothed crown 13 which meshes with a gear wheel 14. The rotation of the gear wheel "M- is transmitted by a gear wheel 15 to gear wheel F8. The rotation of the gear wheel 16 is transmitted by the gear wheel '!l to the gear wheel 18, which is in engagement with the inner teeth of a crown l9 constituting a part of the sleeve 12. The number of these gear wheels may correspond to that of the gear wheels shown in Figure 3.

The sleeve i2 is provided with a helical groove meshing with a corresponding projection provided in the flange 8! of the shell 60.

The operation of this device is substantially similar to that described. However, the transmission of forces take place in the opposite direction. When pressure caused by contraction or expansion is exerted upon the shells 60 and 62, the projection of the flange 8! will press against the side walls of the groove 85 and will cause a rotation of the sleeve E2. This rotation will be transmitted by the crown 79 to the gear wheels 33, ll, iii, 15, and M and to the toothed crown l5 which is integral with the sleeve 68. Thus the sleeves 65 and 58 will be moved and an adjustment of the joint will follow. The space or clearance between the abutting ends of the sleeves 55 and 58 is necessary to provide for small axial movements ofthe sleeves relatively to each other. An inner packing should be provided to cover this clearance, similar to that shown in Figure 4.

Figure '7 shows a joint which may be substantially similar to that shown in Figures 1 to 5, similar parts being indicated by the same numerals. The inner pipe situated within the shell !9 of the joint shown in Figure '1, is provided with. projecting elements 9i meshing with the teeth of a rotary gear wheel 82 which is carried by an arm 93 screwed into the flange 43 of the shell Hi. Thus, the pressure caused by contraction or expansion is transmitted by the shell It! and through the gear wheel 92 to the pipe 95 causing a movement of this pipe. The effect of this construction is substantially similar to those previously described. The gear wheel 92 may be used to drive either the inner pipe Bil or the outer sleeve 26.

It is apparent that the specific illustrations shown above have been given by way of illustration and not by way of limitation, and that the structures above described are subject to wide variation and modification Without departing from the scope or intent of the invention, all of which variations and modifications are to be included within the scope of the present invention.

What is claimedv is:

1. A pipe joint, comprising a rotary adjusting element, and means cc nected with said element and actuated by the expansion and contraction of a pipe caused by temperature variations to impart rotation to said rotary adjusting element.

2. A pipe joint, comprising a shell adapted to be connected to a pipe, a movable member, said shell and said member having interengaging parts imparting a movement to said member when pressure is exerted upon said shell resulting from the expansion and contraction of the pipe caused by temperature variations, a rotary adjusting element, and means connected with said rotary adjusting element and said movable member to transmit the movement of said memher to said adjusting element and cause a rotation of the latter.

3. A pipe joint, comprising a shell adapted to be connected to a pipe, a rotary member, said shell and said member having interengaging parts imparting rotation to said member when pressure is exerted upon said shell resulting from the expansion and contraction of the pipe caused by temperature variations, a rotary adjusting element, said shell and said adjusting element having interengaging screw threads, and means connected with said rotary adjusting element and said rotary member to transmit the movement of said member to said adjusting element.

4. A pipe joint comprising two shells each of which is adapted to be connected to a separate pipe, a rotary member, one of said shells and said member having interengaging parts imparting rotation to said member when pressure is exerted upon said shells resulting from the expansion and contraction of the pipes caused by temperature variations, two rotary interconnected adjusting elements, a play being provided between said adjusting elements, each shell and a separate adjusting element having interengaging corresponding screw threads to provide a joint movement of the adjusting elements and means connected with one of said adjusting elements and said rotary member to transmit the movement of said member to said adjusting elements.

5. A pipe joint comprising two shells each of which is adapted to be connected to a separate main pipe, a rotary pipe, one of said shells and said rotary pipe having interengaging parts imparting rotation to said rotary pipe when pressure is exerted upon said shells resulting from the expansion and contraction of the main pipes caused by temperature variations, two rotary interconnected sleeves, a play being provided between said sleeves, each shell and a separate sleeve having interengaging corresponding screw threads to provide a joint movement of the sleeves, and means connected with one of said sleeves and said rotary pipe to transmit the movement of said rotary pipe to said sleeves.

6. A pipe joint comprising two shells each of which is adapted to be connected to a separate main, pipe, a rotary pipe situated within said shells and rotatably supported by said shells, one of said shells and said rotary pipe having interengaging parts imparting rotation to said rotary pipe when pressure is exerted upon said shells resulting from the expansion and contraction of the main pipes caused by temperature variations, two rotary interconnectedsleeves enclosing adjacent portions of said shells,,a play being provided between said sleeves, each shell and a separate sleeve having interengaging corresponding screw threads to provide a joint movement of the sleeves, and a gear drive connected with one of said sleeves and said rotary pipe to transmit the movement of said rotary pipe to said sleeves.

7. A pipe joint comprising two shells each of which is adapted to be connected to a separate main pipe, a rotary pipe situated within said shells and rotatably supported by said shells, one of said shells having a projection engaging a helical slot formed in said rotary pipe to impart a rotation to said rotary pipe when pressure is exerted upon said shells resulting from the expansion and contraction of the main pipes caused by temperature variations, two rotary interconnected sleeves enclosing adjacentportions of said shells, a play being provided between said sleeves, a separate packing ring carried by each sleeve, an extensible and contractable element interconnecting said rings, each shell and a separate sleeve having interengaging corresponding screw threads to provide a joint movement of the sleeves, a toothed crown firmly connected with said rotary pipe, a sleeve mounted upon said rotary pipe and rotatable relatively thereto, said sleeve having a toothed portion and a flange portion engaging one of the first-mentioned sleeves, and a gear drive connected with said toothed crown and the toothed portion of the last-mentioned sleeve.

8. A pipe joint comprising two shells each of which is adapted to be connected to 'a separate main pipe, a separate inner rotary sleeve carried by each shell and having corresponding screw threads engaging screw threads formed in the shell, means interconnecting the two rotary inner sleeves to provide a joint movement of the sleeves, a play being provided between the two rotary inner sleeves, an outer rotary sleeve, one of said shells and said outer rotary sleeve having interengaging parts imparting rotation tosaid outer rotary sleeve when pressure is exerted upon said shells resulting from the expansion and contraction of the main pipes caused by temperature variations, and means connected with one of the inner rotary sleeves and the outer rotary sleeve to transmit the rotation of the outer rotary sleeve to the inner rotary sleeves. I 9. A pipe joint comprising two shells each of which is adapted to be connected to a separate main pipe, a separate inner rotary sleeve carried by each shell and having corresponding screw threads engaging screw threads formed in the shell, a separate packing ring carried by each shell and engaging the sleeve within that shell, means interconnecting the two rotary inner sleeves to provide a joint movement of the sleeves, a play being provided between the two rotary inner sleeves, an outer rotary sleeve, one of said shells and said outer rotary sleeve having interengaging parts imparting rotation to said outer rotary sleeve when pressure is exerted upon said shells resulting from the expansion and contraction of the main pipes caused by temperature variations, a toothed crown carried by one of said inner rotary sleeves and firmly connected therewith, an inner toothed crown firmly connected with said outer rotary sleeve, and a gear drive interconnecting said toothed crowns.

10. A pipe joint, comprising a shell adapted to be connected to a main pipe, a movable element carried by said shell and having projecting elements formed therein, a gear wheel carried by said shell and engaging said projecting ele-.

ments to impart a movement to said movable element when pressure is exerted upon said shell resulting from the expansion and contraction of the main pipe caused by temperature variations, a rotary adjusting element, and means connected with said rotary adjusting element and said movable element to transmit the movement of said movable element to said adjustingelement and cause a rotation of the latter.

THEODOR- RAEDLE. 

